The parenting partnership: The evaluation of a human service/corporate workplace collaboration for the prevention of substance abuse and mental health problems, and the promotion of family and work adjustment

Purpose Organisations working with children have acknowledged that unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) across Europe are exposed to environments and situations that put them at risk for becoming addicted to drugs or becoming involved in crime. The purpose of this paper is to study an examination of existing international research concerning URM and of whether, and if so how, issues relating to drug use and criminality among these children are discussed in the international literature. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological abstracts and ERIC databases, which together cover the social and behavioural science and also medicine. Findings Findings from the present review show that the issues of drug abuse and criminality among URM are rarely acknowledged in the international research literature. When the occurrence of substance abuse and/or criminality is discussed, it is often in relation to mental health problems and in terms of self-medication, i.e. that alcohol or drugs are used by the URM to cope with painful experiences or mental health problems, and also with the challenges of integrating into a new society, difficulties finding work, unsuitable living conditions and a lack of social support. Originality/value This review shows that several researchers have emphasised that untreated mental health problems, stressful living conditions and a lack of support and control might put these children at risk for substance abuse and criminality, and this suggests a need for further research in this area.

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Relationship duration and mental health outcomes: findings from a 30-year longitudinal study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.110.083550 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 198 (1) ◽

pp. 24-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Sheree J. Gibb ◽

David M. Fergusson ◽

L. John Horwood

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Health Problems ◽

Relationship Status ◽

Equation Approach ◽

Men And Women ◽

Relationship Duration ◽

Legal Relationship

BackgroundMarriage is known to be associated with improved mental health, but little research has examined whether the duration of a cohabiting relationship is associated with mental health.AimsTo examine the associations between relationship duration and mental health problems in a birth cohort of 30-year-olds.MethodAssociations between relationship duration and mental health were examined using a generalised estimating equation approach. Associations were adjusted for covariates, including prior mental health problems.ResultsLonger relationship duration was significantly associated with lower rates of depression, suicidal behaviour and substance abuse/dependence, even after adjustment for covariates. In most cases the associations did not vary with gender. Legal relationship status (legally or de facto married) was not significantly related to mental health once due allowance was made for relationship duration.ConclusionsIncreasing relationship duration, but not legal relationship status, has a protective effect on mental health for men and women.

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Causal accounts as a consequential device in categorizing mental health and substance abuse problems

Communication & Medicine ◽

10.1558/cam.v10i3.237 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 237-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Suvi Maaria Raitakari ◽

Kirsi Günther ◽

Kirsi Juhila ◽

Sirpa Saario

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Supported Housing ◽

Causal Account ◽

Roles And Responsibilities ◽

Team Meetings ◽

Good Mental Health ◽

The Relationship

Professionals in human service work are at the centre of complicated client cases. The ways client cases are constructed and the problems explained form the basis for professionals’ assessments, decisions, actions and interventions. In this article the ways professionals make sense of dual-diagnosis client cases are examined. Applying the concept of causal accounting, it is argued that ‘theories of cause’ are embedded in professional discourse and profoundly shape professionals’ understandings of social and health problems, as well as of their own roles and responsibilities and of what interventions and outcomes are possible. The data consist of 48 tape-recorded weekly team meetings among professionals in a supported housing unit targeted for clients with both mental health and substance abuse problems. It was found that professionals reason about the relationship between these two problems in four different ways: (1) substance abuse causes or makes mental health problems worse; (2) substance abuse eases mental health problems; (3) mental health problems cause or make substance abuse worse; or (4) good mental health reduces substance abuse. Causal account research makes visible the ways professionals do institutional work by categorizing clients, accounting for responsibilities as well as assessing their work and clients’ achievements according to moral expectations of a ‘good’ professional and a worthy client.

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